Our District 9685 Conference is now in the immediate past. What a success!!
Click on the photo album for some of the photos of the Walk Against Domestic Violence, the Conference Dinner, the Showcase, and the Conference sessions. We will be displaying more photos on the District website in due course.
Here is one story of many possible received with thanks to the Rotary Club of Brisbane Water and written by Di Bartok in the Club's Fresh Water Newsletter ...
Fun and insight combined to make the Rotary District Conference a success.
DG Christine and her Conference Committee were delighted with the 320 colourful beach goers who joined them on Friday night at the Crowne Plaza. Following canapes and drinks on the mezzanine floor, party goers found their tables in the grand ballroom decorated with a beach theme. They then settled in for great food, great entertainment with guest speaker Brad Baker and then ‘Open Fire’ duo encouraged us to dance the night away! On Saturday, 450 attended the plenary sessions at the EV Church auditorium. What a venue! The Conference delivered: a spectacular showcase, inspiring speakers, great company and the chance to ‘catch up’! Thank you to all members that attended to make tis 2024 District Conference special. I am proud of what we achieved and my sincere thanks to my Committee for delivering on every aspect and meeting my expectations. Thank you. DG Christine
WHAT a colourful lot Rotary Brisbane Water members was at the District 9685 Conference dinner on Friday night.
The Conference took the form of a fun-filled Friday night beach-themed dinner at Crowne Plaza Terrigal, where we surfed among fellow Rotarians throughout our District, followed by a jam-packed day at Erina where we heard from a jaw-dropping array of outstanding speakers. It all kicked off with a pre-dinner Stop Domestic and Family Violence walk in Terrigal on Friday afternoon, which raised $2000 for education scholarships for survivors and children who come from domestic violence families.
A further $6000 was raised for the cause at the raffle held on Saturday night. Our District Governor Christine Owen, who is passionate about support for victims of domestic violence, was very proud. The Saturday session, which filled out the large EV Church auditorium in Erina, was what the Conference was really about, where Rotarians heard from a range of speakers teaching and inspiring us so much. A showcase of our clubs' projects was set up in an adjoining hall, where participants could go during the breaks. The formal part of day started off with Professor Vanessa Hayes, a genetic specialist, explaining the origins of our species and how genomes work, which was a good segue way into introducing the happy little troupe of Rotary Youth Exchange students, a couple of whom told us of their experiences with host families in a foreign land.
Having heard from positive young people, we then were brought back to earth with a presentation on childhood mental health, presented by Dr Kelsie Boulton, reminding us that we need to keep an eye on vulnerable youth. The morning's session ended with a presentation on Rotary regionalisation with Dallas Booth AM.
Rosemary Kariuki OAM, the African-Australian inspirational dynamo, opened the mid-afternoon session. This woman, 2021 Australian Local Hero, has changed the lives of so many isolated migrant women. To hear her speak, you cannot fail to be drawn into her warmth and genuineness. She has a lesson for all of us and captures the spirit of Rotary - watch out for your neighbours, especially if you think they need help. The day continued with talks on rebuilding lives through facial surgery for disfigured children, with Dr Lindsay McBride, heart health with Greg Page AM and maternal health of the world's poorest with Dr Andrew Browning AM. All in all, an interesting day, with morning and lunch breaks in the grounds providing Rotarians from 63 clubs - from the Central Coast, out to the Blue Mountains, and on Sydney's North Shore, as well as some guests from D9675 - a good chance to mingle and learn from our fellows.
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3. Rotary Youth Exchange Students
Our RYE students attended the District Conference last Friday and Saturday, and then this week have been attending a four day excursion to Canberra. They have been escorted by Rorarians and PP's Norm and Cheryl Kitto and were met by former D9685 (D9690) Rotaractor, Tara Pullen. Tara is now the President of the Canberra Sunrise Rotary Club and is also a past exchange student. Tara went to India 20 years ago. The RYE students were met by local politicians during their excursion.
4. News? or Coincidence?
When Sue O'Neill (RAWCS Eastern Region Chair), Liz McDougall (District Secretary) and Jan Pryor (RAWCS District 9685 Eastern Chair) met up at the District Conference to discuss their overseas projects they discovered they were all flying to Fiji the following day.
With a quick tweak to their itineraries they all travelled out to beautiful Tivua Island on a Captain Cook Cruise for a day's snorkelling and coral viewing. Their chat was on projects in Fiji - Liz has a long-term connection with the Koroipita project with the Rotary Club of Lautoka and Sue and Jan were heading north to Vanua Levu the following day to discuss projects with the Rotary Club of Savu Savu.
Combining their knowledge, passion and drive they spent the day sharing ideas, discussing options and making plans. We believe they did stop talking while snorkelling ... but not for long...
5. Winter Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN)
We are excited to announce that Winter RYPEN is now open for applications!!
RYPEN - Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment, is a weekend residential camp, sponsored by Rotary clubs, where young people get to learn more about themselves, push the boundaries of their comfort zones, develop new skills and form lifelong friendships. The Winter camp is held at Blue Gum Lodge in Springwood where we have 64 life changing spots for young people aged 14-16, from across our district to come together on Friday 14th June to Become, Discover, Be Challenged. They will emerge on Sunday 16th June as newer versions of themselves ready to take on the world. For full details please see our information packs:
If you have any questions, please contact Camp Director Amanda Barnes at winterrypen@gmail.com
Applications close 5pm AEST on 18th May, 2024.
Yours in Rotary,
Amanda Barnes
6. Peace Centres
Help Rotary recruit peace and development leaders Applications for the 2025 Rotary Peace Fellowships are open until 15 May. Dear club presidents and district officers, You can help promote peace in the world by encouraging peace and development leaders in your community to apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship. Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for peacebuilders from diverse backgrounds to study at one of our peace centers located at leading universities around the world. This year, we’ll select 50 peace fellows to study in our master’s degree programs at six partner universities in Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States and 80 fellows to earn postgraduate diplomas through our professional development certificate programs at Makerere University in Uganda and Bahçeşehir University in Turkey. Rotary Peace Fellows use their training to amplify their work at the local, regional, or global level. Together, we can advance peace by encouraging our local peacebuilders to learn about Rotary and apply for this unique fellowship. But we need your help finding candidates. Rotary and Rotaract members can get involved by:
• Visiting the Rotary Peace Centers Facebook page for application graphics and posts to share • Forwarding the fellowship announcement to your contacts and including it in club and district communications • Using our referral form so potential candidates can receive more information and apply • Sharing a PowerPoint presentation about the fellowships with your club members and community • Taking the All About Rotary Peace Fellowships course to learn about the centers and fellowship qualification criteria, eligibility restrictions, and application process Candidates have until 15 May to submit applications to The Rotary Foundation.
Thanks to generous support from donors and the dedicated participation of Rotary members, the peace fellowship program has more than 1,700 alumni working to make positive change in more than 140 countries. Many program alumni have founded their own organizations to address critical issues or serve as leaders in governments, nongovernmental organizations, educational and research institutions, media and the arts, and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank. To learn more about how you can recruit the next generation of peace fellows, contact your district Rotary Peace Fellowship subcommittee chair or write to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org.
Radio is a powerful way to spread your Club stories. If your Club has a project, local or overseas, which would interest the wider general public, discuss it with Rotary Matters presenter Ian Stuart who will be glad to help spread the word. Ian.stuart@optusnet.com.au 0416 138 860
rich in culture and unique attractions. Here are just a few of the reasons to register early.
Give yourself a vacation to look forward to. Whether you’re making the trip of a lifetime or a return visit, you’ll find inspiration and wonder in Singapore.
Save significant money. The last day for the early registration discount is 15 December. You won’t get a lower rate.
Have your pick of airfares and hotels. It’s the right time to lock in a good airfare rate before prices almost certainly go up closer to 25-29 May.
You’ll have more room choices when you book your hotel at a special rate. Looking for a deal? A city view? Enough space for your kids? Check your options.
Book a special experience. Exclusive excursions for Rotary members can sell out, and organizers have curated tour packages to see hidden gems in Singapore and nearby countries.
Leave time to gather your entourage. Veronica and Johnny Yu, of the Rotary Club of Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines, committed to Singapore while still in Melbourne and have been encouraging others to take advantage of early registration. “You can only believe in the magic of Rotary if you go to the convention,” Johnny Yu says. No two conventions are the same, so even if you’ve been before it’s a chance to reconnect with friends and be inspired. This convention is when members turn ideas into actions for Sharing Hope With the World.
This month's theme is Water, Sanitation and Hygeine
Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life.
When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
HOW ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPEN
Through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.
to let us know of any bereavements you would like published. It would be much appreciated if you also sent a short biography and photo for an information
link in In Memoriam.
You may also inform your Assistant Governor, the District Secretary, or the Governor. Remember to also update
your club's member database on the District website
RLI is a training course offered to Rotarians to develop their skills in leadership and management within Clubs to improve performance, knowledge and enjoyment in leading or helping to lead Clubs in the District.
The courses consist of three parts over one weekend, all delivered by Zoom. Course materials will be sent to registered participants directly.
The RLI Convenor for 2023-2026 is Amanda Barnes.
ROTARY ON THE MOVE
MARCH 2024
Great articles such as:
Meet Your Members' Needs – A Great Resource For Clubs
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"The Club Buzz" is where you will find some exciting and relevant programs or events happening in our Clubs and in District 9685. 
Monthly theme for February is Water and Sanitation Month
